Are airgun really backyard friendly?

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When I recently renewed my license to carry I asked the officer about shooting air guns in my back yard. He said that there was no specific ordinance, but often they would get calls that were either a noise complaint or just a concerned neighbor because of someone shooting a "gun". Either way it sounded like a no win situation for the air gunner. I live in a fairly congested suburban area. I have a high fence around my backyard, but my neighbors on three sides can see down into my yard from their second floors. This may not be popular, but I could understand any one of them not wanting me to shoot in my backyard. The fence is that plastic type material and a pellet could easily pass through. Even with a good big back stop we all know that mistakes can happen. Two of the neighbors have young children. If the situation was reversed how much do I trust someone else with my families well being? Or assuming that I trust them what about their friend who comes over for a plinking session. My neighbor across the street has no one on either side and a marsh behind their house. They could shoot an air rifle behind their house and no one would ever know. Personally, I am not going to risk getting into it with either my neighbors or the police. .
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Yeah, I'm in the same situation as you. Sadly, all the houses around ours, are filled with some real soft-skinned individuals who are lost if the lights go out, let alone being gun (air or powder type) owners. I'm like the weird uncle who has the Marine Corps stuff on his vehicle, and the NRA sticker...they all kinda stay away from us, and this does not bother me in the least bit.

When it comes to shooting firearms, which I do quite a bit, I belong to two different conservation clubs with nice ranges...I even take my air rifles to them to shoot right along side my regular firearms, for it is the only place I can do any distance shooting for the rifles. Now, I can do some air pistol shooting in my garage, I know it's kinda lame because I can only shoot them there at about twenty feet, but it's better than nothing.

There are no city laws saying we cannot shoot air guns within city limits, but there are none that say you can either...grey area at best. Sometimes OP, you just have to make due with what your circumstances are, and for me that is having to go to a range to do all of my firearm shooting, and most of my air gun shooting.
 
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Know your neighbors. Be a good neighbor yourself.



I am on on two acres and I am surrounded by retired people living on both sides and across the street. There is a farm that is behind me. One of my real concerns is who will move in next door when my aged neighbors are no longer able to live there and they sell. Your story reminds me of this concern I have.



Currently I enjoy sitting in my driveway, in plain view of everyone, and shooting my airguns. That may change someday? I hope not. I’ll do my best to keep my neighbors at ease/on their good side, that way I hope to continue what I enjoy into the future.
 
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Always good to be friends with your neighbors, and make them aware and at ease with what you've doing. The police are not going to be proactive on this sort of thing...it's not like it's The Crime of the Century. But, they WILL react, and handle the issue to conclusion. And the officer actually was merciful to the OP...he didn't arrest or seize the rifle as evidence, in which case it would never be returned. 
 
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I live near Sacramento. Our city ordinance as it applies to this situation says:

"No person shall, upon any....lot owned by any person within the city, use, discharge, or cause or permit to be used or discharged any....gun, pistol, or any weapon or thing which is capable of propelling or which does propel, in any manner, any bullet, or missile, whatever".

Take note friends, this not only includes air guns but archery equipment, slingshots, etc. If it can cast a projectile, you can't use it.

My experience, however, was quite different from the one above. Years ago I was shooting an air rifle at a paper target on a hay bale with my girlfriend's teenage son in her back yard when the doorbell rang. The next door neighbor had called the cops. I think the officer was surprised when I opened the door and he discovered a grown man and not a kid was shooting. He apologized for having to tell me and said someone had complained and that he was going to have to ask me to put the gun away and not shoot in the backyard anymore. I thanked him, he left and that was that. Guess I was lucky.




 
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To further " quiet" your backyard range a large moderator can be made by lining a tube of 1' diameter or more with sound deadening material and shooting with the muzzle of your air gun about 1 foot into it. The tube could a sona tube concrete form, or several old tires bolted together and stuffed with insulation. the tube can be square, rectangular. trash barrels fastened together with the bottoms cut out and lined with sound proofing wall insulation. This " design" is meant to be supported and weather proof. It's simple a large lcd to further contain the sound and trap the sonic vibrations.
 
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Before I bought an air rifle I contacted my township office to see if it was legal to shoot targets. They said there were no township ordinances but I should call the local police. I contacted them and was told I had to follow the state guidelines for target shooting which requires I not put persons in danger and all projectiles have to be stopped with a backstop within 15 feet of the target. I shoot towards the back of my yard into a backstop. Behind the backstop is farmland but there is a house on each side of mine. BUT, if anyone is outside in any yard beside me even though I am shooting in a different direction I immediately stop shooting. I want them to know I respect their safety. I shoot my air rifle as well as my bow and have no problems but they know if their kids come out I shut down. I would expect no less from them.
 
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